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Intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产, shortened to 非遗 in Chinese), also described here as living heritage, involves cultural practices that people continue to learn, practise and pass on. Start by asking what people do, how they learn it and how that knowledge reaches others. “Traditional”, “handmade” and “intangible cultural heritage” are not interchangeable product labels. Understanding the cultural context and verifying a specific identity should be separate tasks.
Begin with a concrete question
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Reading names: Chinese originals, pinyin and English explanations: understand what a name identifies and keep the original and its source for further checking.
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What to check before a heritage visit: confirm access and booking arrangements, understand the setting and plan recording, notes and public sharing.
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Read a craft through its materials and making: connect paper-cutting, New Year prints, weaving and ceramics through materials, process and evidence.
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What to notice when watching and listening: approach Nanyin, Dong grand song, dragon dance, Kunqu and Gesar through context, sound, movement and narrative.
Separate three questions that can become confused
“What is it?”, “How was it made?” and “Who made it?” can be asked separately. An object name helps identify what you are reading about; a process account explains methods; a practitioner’s or production record may explain who took part. Knowing a name alone usually leaves the other two questions unanswered.
Practise with the work titles in the Pingyao lacquerware guide: identify the object, decorative method and subject, leaving unknown contributors for further enquiry. In Li textile techniques, begin with yarn, fabric and use to see how the same questions can lead into another material.
Leave a starting point for your next reading
You do not need to memorise every unfamiliar name after an article. Keep one original name, one source and one question you want to pursue. These give you somewhere to return. On the English pages, retained Chinese names can also help you find the original material.
Continue with using Chinese official sources when checking information. To choose by interest, visit the Journal for reading routes about learning, sound and materials. Read the account alongside its source cards, including their dates and the limits of what they support.